After Lucifer's final attack landed on the Elder Dark Treant, the air around us crackled with frost as ice mana spread like creeping tendrils, ensnaring the beast in a frozen embrace. With a resounding shatter, the Treant succumbed to the relentless onslaught, its once formidable form reduced to nothing more than shattered fragments of ice and splintered wood.

As the chaos of battle gave way to a solemn calm, I let out a deep sigh of relief, the weight of tension lifting from my shoulders. With a flicker of concentration, I deactivated Lucent Harmony, feeling the instant disconnection from the surrounding ambient mana.

A sense of loss washed over me as access to certain elements became locked once again, but amidst the fleeting sensation, a surge of accomplishment coursed through my veins. For in my possession now lay the beast will of a qilin, a potent source of power that would aid me in battle like never before.

'One of the pieces I needed to gain this year is now in my grasp,' I thought as my lips curled into a smile.

"Arthur!" Rachel's urgent cry jolted me out of my daze, and I turned to see her blonde hair streaming behind her as she sprinted towards me.

But why was she running so fast? Wasn't she already close enough to slow down?

Before I could fully process it, Rachel crashed into me with surprising force, sending us both tumbling to the ground. My body, already weary from the strain of wielding Lucent Harmony and battling the Elder Dark Treant at once, struggled to maintain balance as Rachel tackled me.

The impact knocked the wind out of me, leaving me gasping for breath as I lay sprawled on the ground beneath her. Despite the exhaustion coursing through my limbs, I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight of Rachel's evident concern, her eyes wide with worry as she hovered over me.

She seized the collars of my tattered battle outfit, her hands trembling with concern as she pulled me closer to her.

"What happened to you? Are you okay?" Rachel's words spilled out in a rush, her voice filled with worry. "I saw the beast hit you hard, and I was so worried because you didn't come out, and I didn't know what was going to happen-"

A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I reached out to gently cup the back of Rachel's head, pulling her close in a reassuring embrace.

"Relax, Rach, I'm fine," I murmured, my voice soothing as I held her close. I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for her, knowing that witnessing a friend being struck by such a powerful adversary must have been a terrifying experience. After all, even though they are the main characters of this world and heirs to the most powerful forces, they are still teenagers at the end of the day.

"Uh, mind getting off me? This position is kind of awkward," I said with a chuckle, gently releasing Rachel from the hug. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she quickly scrambled to her feet, her embarrassment evident.

"Hey, you guys okay?" Lucifer's voice cut through the air as he approached us, his sword slung over his shoulder and exhaustion etched on his face. He had borne the brunt of the battle, carrying much of the weight in our fight against the Elder Dark Treant.

"Yeah, just a bit worse for wear," I replied with a nod, acknowledging the toll the battle had taken on me.

Lucifer turned his attention to Rachel, concern creasing his brow. "And you, Rach? You look a bit flushed. Did you overexert yourself with magic?"

"N-no, I'm fine!" Rachel's response came out in a hurried squeak before she abruptly turned away, her cheeks burning crimson.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I couldn't help but tilt my head in bemusement at Rachel's sudden outburst before pushing myself up from the ground, my muscles protesting the effort after the intense battle.

"It took you a while to meet up with us, Lucifer," I remarked, stepping forward to greet him with a handshake. "Let's catch up over some food. There's a nice restaurant nearby."

"Sounds good," he replied, returning the handshake with a smile. "And you've certainly grown stronger, haven't you?"

I nodded modestly in response to his observation.

"I'll lead the way, so make sure to follow me," Rachel declared confidently, her earlier embarrassment seemingly forgotten as she took charge.

We followed Rachel through the bustling streets, the city's vibrant energy a stark contrast to the serene yet dangerous atmosphere of the forest we had just left behind. As we walked, the aroma of various cuisines wafted through the air, tantalizing our senses and stirring our appetites.

Soon enough, we arrived at the fusion restaurant where Rachel and I had dined before, the familiar sight of its colorful façade welcoming us warmly. The cozy ambiance and inviting aroma of spices greeted us as we stepped inside, accompanied by the lively chatter of patrons enjoying their meals.

We settled into a corner booth, the comfortable cushioned seats a welcome relief after the rigours of battle. The waitress approached us with a friendly smile, handing us menus filled with a tantalising array of dishes.

"Pad Thai, anyone?" Rachel suggested with a grin, her eyes alight with anticipation.

"Sounds perfect," I agreed, my stomach rumbling in agreement at the thought of the savoury noodle dish.

Lucifer nodded in approval, his own appetite evidently piqued by the enticing menu selection.

Rachel finally broached the topic that hung in the air like a heavy fog. "Arthur," she began, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern, "how did you manage to wield 5-circle magic at your current rank and handle multiple elements you couldn't before?"

Her question hung in the air, demanding an answer that I wasn't entirely prepared to give. How could I explain my newfound abilities without revealing the extraordinary encounter with Luna, the Qilin?

I didn't want to lie to them but telling Lucifer and Rachel that I met Luna, a Qilin, was going to be too much especially since she's known for appearing in front of future monarchs.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, carefully choosing my words as I responded to her probing question. "It's my Gift," I began, my tone measured yet confident. "Seems like it decided to awaken at a rather opportune moment."

Rachel's brow furrowed in curiosity, her eyes fixed intently on me as she processed my explanation. "Your Gift awakened just like that?" she mused, a hint of skepticism lacing her words.

"Seems that way," I replied with a shrug, hoping to deflect any further inquiries. "Sometimes these things just happen unexpectedly."

Lucifer nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful as he contemplated my revelation. "Late awakenings aren't unheard of," he remarked, his tone reassuring. "In fact, it's quite rare, but it's definitely a sign of great potential."

I offered a grateful smile in response, relieved that my fabricated explanation seemed to satisfy their curiosity for the time being.

As we shared stories and caught up on the events of the winter break, Lucifer's question about my plans drew my attention away from the food for a moment.

"I'll head to Mount Hua to visit Seraphina before returning to Mythos Academy at the end of the break," I replied casually, taking a sip of my drink.

"Sera, huh? That sounds like a nice change of pace," Rachel remarked, her tone thoughtful.

"Yeah, I need to use the insignia she gave me," I added with a hint of jest, trying to lighten the mood.

But Rachel's next question caught me off guard. "Wait, she gave you her insignia?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise. The abrupt shift in conversation seemed to startle Lucifer too, evident from the wide-eyed look he shot at her.

I nodded in response to Rachel's question, unsure of where she was going with this line of inquiry.

"And did Cecilia also give you her insignia?" Rachel pressed, her tone neutral but her eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.

I sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of annoyance at the memory. "Yes, she did," I admitted reluctantly. "She visited me when I was at home."

Rachel's reaction was subdued, a quiet "Oh" escaping her lips as she turned her gaze away, her expression unreadable.

Lucifer's concerned expression didn't go unnoticed, but I couldn't decipher its meaning. Was he trying to communicate something to me, or was it just a passing worry? I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

Glancing at Rachel, I noticed her demeanour had shifted. Despite her composed facade, there was a noticeable chill in the air as she delicately cut into her lamb steak. Her expression remained impassive, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Then, I caught a subtle gesture—a faint push of her lower lip forward—as she continued to eat.